22. （ENGAGE）ment
VERENA
22
As I stepped into the grand event hall, regret washed over me. The place looked more like a venue for the Oscars than, well, whatever the hell it was supposed to be. Jae’s proposal, if I had to guess. Chandeliers cast glittering light onto a sea of formally dressed guests, and my stomach sank as I glanced down at my outfit: jeans and a chic, casual top. I’d thought this would be low-key, but Jae clearly had other ideas.
“You’re late,” Jae snapped as soon as I approached him, his eyes narrowing.
“Well, I didn’t know the entire office was waiting for me,” I retorted, irritation bubbling beneath my forced smile.
“Of course the whole office is here,” he replied, his tone dripping with condescension. “Along with editors from Forbes, The New York Times, and Wall Street Journal.”
I glanced around, feeling the weight of countless eyes on me. “You could have warned me. I would have prepared.”
Jae’s gaze flicked up and down my outfit. “You certainly don’t look like you dressed up for the occasion.”
I clenched my fists, my temper rising. “I wasn’t aware of what this was. A heads-up would have been nice.”
How had I ended up here? It all started with an invite from Jae, delivered in his usual no-nonsense style. A simple, elegant card that read “Please join me tonight at 7 PM.” No dress code. No information. Just a town car parked outside his penthouse. He’d made it sound like a casual get-together. I’d figured it was just the public display of our engagement that Auntie was forcing on Jae. Maybe dinner at her favorite restaurant. If I could go back in time, I’d take back all my teasing about wanting a spectacle. I just wanted to make him sweat, not orchestrate an actual engagement party.
Now, I was standing in a room full of people, feeling like I’d stumbled into someone else’s fairy-tale nightmare.
“Jae, what the hell is this?” I hissed, sidling up to him as discreetly as possible. He looked impeccable, of course, in a tailored tuxedo that screamed powerful CEO.
“Surprise,” he said, flashing me that infuriatingly smug smile.
“Are you going to propose to me in front of everyone? And you invited newspapers?” I demanded.
“I’m a very influential person, Verena. They’ll want exclusives, and it’s a good PR opportunity. They’ll even feature my new project,” he said, completely unfazed.
I stared in disbelief.
Jae shrugged, looking unapologetically pleased with himself. “I thought it would be a good idea to show everyone how serious we are.”
“I’m seriously going to strangle you in your sleep.”
Before I could press him further, a familiar figure approached us. Mina, Jae’s new assistant, sashayed over in a cocktail dress that hugged her curves. She looked me up and down, barely concealing her disdain.
“Mr. Lee, the champagne is ready for the toast,” she said. Then, she looked down her nose at me. “And the dress you prepared for Miss Williams is ready.”
“Wait, you got me a dress?” I asked, unable to hide my surprise.
Jae had that infuriatingly smug look. “Of course. I couldn’t have you looking bad for all the press releases. Now, go get dressed.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress a small smile as I headed to the dressing room Mina gestured to, where the dress was waiting. Hanging on a sleek hanger, it was a stunning piece: an elegant black evening gown with intricate beading along the bodice and a deep, daring neckline. The fabric was smooth and luxurious, hugging my curves in all the right places while still leaving a little to the imagination.
Slipping into the dress, I admired the way it transformed me. I felt powerful, confident, and, dare I say, beautiful. After a few adjustments and a quick touch-up to my makeup, I made my way back to the event hall, nerves tingling with anticipation.
Jae looked up as I entered, his eyes widening slightly. He stood slowly, taking in the sight of me from head to toe, his gaze intense and filled with unspoken tension. For a moment, the air between us crackled with electricity.
“You look nice,” he said finally, his voice low and rough, a compliment that felt more intimate than any he’d ever given me before.
Mina was at his side in an instant. “Verena, your mother has arrived with friends.”
I glared at Jae. “Wait. You invited my mother?!” I exclaimed, my voice a mix of disbelief and horror.
He smiled, still unfazed. “Of course. It’s a family event, after all.”
I turned to see my mom entering the hall, looking as if she’d rather be anywhere else. She was dressed similarly to what I wore before—jeans and a casual top—which only added to her displeasure. Flanking her were Laura and Luke, both dressed down and equally annoyed.
“Mom,” I started, trying to figure out how to smooth over the mess Jae had created.
“Verena,” she said, barely acknowledging Jae.
I forced a smile. “You look nice,” I said, each word going up in pitch.
“I didn’t realize what sort of party I was attending. We got some vague invite, and a damn limo showed up at our door.”
Jae smiled. “Only the best for you, Jennifer.”
My mother could have burned him with her gaze as she poked his chest. “Don’t start with me, Lee. What’s going on? Why did you bring us here? What are your intentions with my daughter?”
“If you just give me a moment, everything will make sense,” Jae replied with a cocky smile.
Oh my God. No.
Mina handed him a microphone.
“Why does he have a microphone?” Laura asked.
Luke looked like he was going to vomit.
Auntie stepped up, resplendent in a shimmering emerald gown, complemented by the streaks of silver in her hair. Her dress, adorned with intricate beadwork, sparkled under the chandeliers, exuding an air of timeless grace. She moved with the poise of someone who was always the center of attention but carried none of the arrogance.
With a warm smile, Auntie enveloped my mom in a hug, completely oblivious to the tension crackling in the air. My mom looked slightly out of place amidst the sea of formality, yet she returned Auntie’s embrace with genuine affection.
“Auntie, it’s so good to see you,” my mom said, her voice tinged with warmth despite the underlying discomfort.
“It’s wonderful to see you too, Jennifer,” Auntie replied. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
Meanwhile, Jae took the mic, clearing his throat and straightening his jacket. He looked every bit the powerful CEO, with his tailored tuxedo and commanding presence. But I knew him well enough to see the faint nervousness in his eyes, a subtle flicker that only someone who truly knew him would catch.
“Good evening, everyone,” Jae began, his voice commanding attention across the room. “Thank you all for coming tonight. I have an important announcement to make.”
I stood there, feeling like I was watching a car crash in slow motion. Jae had never been one for grand romantic gestures, and I had a sinking feeling this was going to be painfully awkward.
“Our engagement,” he continued, “is not just a personal milestone but a strategic alliance. In business, as in life, choosing the right partner is crucial for success. Verena and I have built a solid foundation over the years, collaborating and achieving together.”
Oh God, he’s turning this into a business presentation. I glanced around, seeing the puzzled expressions on the faces of our guests. Mom’s scowl deepened, Laura rolled her eyes, and Luke looked like he was about to drag me out of here.
“In both our personal and professional lives, trust, respect, and shared goals are essential. Verena embodies these qualities, making her the ideal partner for both my life and my ventures,” Jae concluded, his voice confident.
I could see Laura mouthing “What the hell?” to Luke, who clenched his fists at his side.
Jae turned to me, and I could see the determination in his eyes. He got down on one knee, holding out a small velvet box. “Verena, will you marry me?”
There was a beat of silence, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. I glanced around at the expectant faces, feeling trapped. Backing out now would make things even worse.
“Sure,” I said, trying to sound enthusiastic but knowing it came off as resigned.
Jae’s eyes flickered with irritation, but he forced a smile, the kind that didn’t reach his eyes. He grabbed my hand a little too firmly and slipped the ring onto my finger. It didn’t fit. It was too small, pinching my skin uncomfortably.
“Hold still,” he muttered through gritted teeth, shoving the ring further.
I winced. The ring itself was garish, an oversized diamond surrounded by an overabundance of tiny stones, more of a display of wealth than a symbol of love. It didn’t look cute or elegant; it looked like something chosen to impress an audience rather than the person who had to wear it.
“Perfect, just perfect,” I muttered under my breath, the sarcasm thick.
Jae’s forced smile didn’t falter, but I could see the tightness in his jaw. He leaned in close, his voice a low whisper meant only for me. “Smile, Verena. Don’t ruin this.”
Forcing a smile, I turned to face the crowd, my hand throbbing from the tight ring. This was not how I imagined our engagement would be, and the reality was starting to feel more like a nightmare than a dream.
“You call this an engagement? You’re proposing to my daughter like she’s an assistant signing a contract?” Mom’s voice sliced through the moment, her eyes blazing with anger as she looked at Jae.
Jae’s expression hardened, his irritation barely concealed. “Jennifer, I assure you, my intentions are entirely sincere,” he replied. “This is how serious matters are handled in my world.”
Mom pushed through the crowd, her face a mask of fury. “Are you insane?” she demanded, her voice cutting through the murmurs of the guests. “You haven’t been dating nearly long enough. You didn’t even ask for my blessing!”
Jae rolled his eyes. “Jennifer, we don’t need your blessing. This is our decision.”
Mom’s eyes blazed with anger as she turned to me. “Verena, what is going on? This is ridiculous.”
Before I could answer, Auntie stepped in, her voice overly cheerful. “Okay, let’s get the mother of the bride a drink!” She gently but firmly steered Mom away from us, trying to defuse the situation.
Jae and I plastered on our best fake smiles and turned to face the crowd.
Jae leaned in, his voice low and commanding. “Keep that smile on, Verena. We need to show them we’re strong and united.”
I forced a brighter smile. “Lead the way, Mr. CEO,” I replied, the sarcasm barely masked.
We moved through the sea of guests, exchanging pleasantries with practiced politeness. Jae’s grip on my hand was firm, almost possessive, as if reminding me who was in control. The guests buzzed with excitement, their eyes flitting between us and the spectacle we had become.
“So, Verena,” one of Jae’s colleagues said, raising an eyebrow. “How did Jae finally convince you to say yes?”
“Oh, you know,” I said breezily, “he wore me down with his relentless charm and impeccable organizational skills.”
Jae shot me a sharp look, his eyes flashing with annoyance. “And Verena’s dedication and patience won me over,” he added, his voice edged with a warning.
As we moved to the next group of guests, Jae leaned in close again. “Could you at least try to sound convincing?” he hissed.
“I’m doing my best,” I shot back through clenched teeth. “This whole thing is your fault.”
“My fault?” he whispered harshly. “You’re the one who insisted on a spectacle.”
“I was joking!” I retorted, maintaining my smile as we greeted another couple. “You should have known that.”
“Clearly, our communication needs work,” Jae muttered, his jaw tight.
Before I could respond, the emcee’s voice boomed through the hall. “Ladies and gentlemen, our lovely couple will now share their first dance as an engaged pair!”
The crowd applauded, and I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. Jae led me to the dance floor, his grip never loosening, and we took our positions, trying to ignore the sea of eyes watching our every move.
As the music started, Jae pulled me closer. “Just follow my lead,” he said softly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“I’m trying,” I whispered back, my nerves making my movements stiff.
We swayed awkwardly to the music, our bodies close but our minds miles apart. The crowd watched, and I could see my mom’s disapproving glare from the corner of my eye.
“You’re stepping on my toes,” I muttered, trying to keep my tone light.
“Then keep up,” Jae replied sharply, adjusting his grip.
The song ended, and the emcee’s voice rang out again. “And now, a kiss to seal the deal!”
The crowd erupted into chants of “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” I felt my face flush, and I glanced at Jae, who looked equally uncomfortable.
“Well, here goes nothing,” he said, leaning in, his expression unyielding.
Our lips met awkwardly, a stiff and uncomfortable touch that lacked any real passion or connection. It was everything our engagement wasn’t supposed to be.
As we pulled away, both of us blushing furiously, I avoided eye contact with anyone, focusing on the floor instead.
“That was terrible,” Jae muttered.
“No kidding,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
Jae sighed, a deep, resigned sound. “Fuck it,” he said abruptly, grabbing my wrist.
“Jae, what are you—” I started, but he was already pulling me off the dance floor.
Ignoring the confused stares and whispers, he dragged me through the maze of guests and into a dark, narrow hallway. Before I could protest further, he yanked open the door to a supply closet and pulled me inside, shutting the door firmly behind us.
The sudden silence was jarring. The small, dimly lit space was filled with shelves of cleaning supplies and a faint smell of disinfectant. I could feel Jae’s breath, warm and unsteady, on my face.
“What the hell are you doing?” I hissed, trying to pull my wrist free from his grip.
“Fixing this goddamn train wreck,” he snarled, his voice low and intense. He released my wrist with a huff, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
I took a step back, crossing my arms over my chest. “And you think dragging me into a supply closet is going to help?”
He leaned against the door, his eyes boring into mine. “I needed to get us away from them. All those prying eyes and their damn expectations. We need to talk.”
“Talk?” I echoed, incredulous. “You think now is the time for a heart-to-heart?”
Jae’s gaze didn’t soften, the tension in his posture unyielding. “Verena, I know this is a mess. But we have to figure it out. We have to make this work. For Auntie, for your mother, for…me.”
A flicker of something—hope, maybe?—stirred at his words, but it was quickly smothered by the overwhelming frustration and confusion of the night. “Jae, I don’t know how to pretend anymore. I don’t know how to act like this is real when it’s not.”
He stepped closer, his eyes intense, almost desperate. “Then let’s stop pretending. Just for a moment. Let’s just be…us.”
And with those words, Jae grabbed my cheeks roughly and slammed his lips to mine.